Auctions Commentary from CCFS Market Analyst Richard Hudson-Evans
‘No Reserve’ WW2 1944 Willys Overland Jeep MB in authentic Operation Overlord trim established a new world auction record for an iconic model that was widely used by American troops by selling to a European bidder for 100,100 euros (£86,086) during the 100% sold 3.71m euros (£3.19m) Artcurial D Day Dispersal Sale of the Normandy Tank Museum Collection at Catz.
Over a thousand classic military vehicle enthusiast packed into the Nerrant family’s Tank Museum on the site of the historic A10 Temporary Airfield, a few kilometres from Utah Beach, to see three world records set by bidders from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. A total of 11 lots sold for more than 100,000 euros, 7 of the top 10 being acquired by foreign buyers.
The tanks, some of which performed demo manoeuvres in front of the Museum the day before the sale, attracted huge interest and high bids. The prices went to the Sherman tanks, the stars of this very nostalgic occasion. Made by Chrysler in the Detroit Tank Arsenal, a 1946 Chrysler M4A4 Sherman scored a direct hit with an American collector who was sufficiently smitten to hand over 364,000 euros (£313,040) for a very large war toy – and, following a battle with a telephone bidder, the winning EU collector in the room had to pay 310,700 euros (£267,202) to capture one of only 80 examples of the Chrysler M4 Sherman 105. To the applause of the saleroom, the new owner announced that the tank, decorated in the battle colours of the 2nd Division, would remain in France.
Military motorcycles were also in demand. For a 1942 BMW R75 with sidecar in 1942 North Africa campaign Afrika Korps livery changed riders and heads to the US for 169,000 euros (£145,340), close to five times its estimate and another new auction record price for the model, while even the matching trailer made 20 times its estimate, selling for 20,800 euros (£17,716). A military scooter by the Cushman Motor Works, the rarer M53-A version built for paratroopers, also made world record money when sold on a Sunday to a Middle Eastern buyer for 149,500 euros (£128,570).
On the Monday, in London’s West End at Bonhams New Bond Street salerooms, the late Robert White’s Collection was 99% sold, realising £3m to fund advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment in his home county of Dorset. Highlights included a 1930 Bentley 4½-Litre Le Mans-style Tourer sold for £315,100, a 1959 AC Ace Bristol Roadster for £254,620, a 1951 Vincent 998cc Series C Black Shadow sold for £88,900 and a 1977 MV Agusta 861cc Magni for £69,700.
The single-owner collection sale of the former entrepreneur, who had started in business in a small camera shop in Poole and went on to found one of the UK’s leading photographic retailers, also set a new world record for a hand-made British wristwatch from bespoke horologist George Daniels. For one of just 35 of the George Daniels 35th Anniversary Edition realised £224,500, double the pre-sale estimate.